Ingredients
- For the Coating:
- 2 cups crushed Cheez-Its or Cheese Nips
- ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ⅔ cup Panko bread crumbs
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp Italian seasonings
- 1 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
- 6 tbsp butter (melted)
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- For the Chicken:
- 3 pounds chicken tenders
- For Serving:
- Ranch dressing (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Prepare the Crumbs: Crush the Cheez-Its (or Cheese Nips) by placing them in a Ziplock bag and rolling over the bag with a rolling pin, or pulse them in a food processor for 1-2 minutes. Mix the crushed crackers, grated Parmesan cheese, Panko bread crumbs, salt, Italian seasonings, and cayenne pepper (if using) in a bowl. Stir in the melted butter until the mixture is evenly combined.
- Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken tenders dry with a paper towel. Brush mayonnaise evenly on both sides of each chicken tender.
- Coat the Chicken: Press the chicken tenders into the Cheez-It coating mixture, making sure the coating sticks well.
- Bake: Spray a wire cooling rack with non-stick spray and place it on a baking sheet. Place the coated chicken tenders on the rack. (If you don’t have a wire rack, place them directly on the baking sheet.) Bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown and the chicken’s juices run clear. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) internally.
- Serve: Serve with mashed potatoes, fries, or your favorite dipping sauce, like ranch dressing.
Notes
- If you don’t have a wire rack, baking directly on the baking sheet is fine, but the rack helps the tenders cook evenly and become crispier.
- For extra flavor, try adding a bit of garlic powder or paprika to the coating mixture.
- These tenders can be served with any dipping sauce of your choice, such as honey mustard, BBQ sauce, or ranch.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 589
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 34g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 22g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 45g
- Cholesterol: 130mg
